During dinner, Shen Feng told Chang Jianyi and Chu Chaoyan, "In a few days, I'll be going out on a glider. I might be gone for a while. While I'm away from Yuzhou, please take care of things here. I heard that Little Dragon might be in a deep sleep for five months. Please keep an eye on him too."
After Shen Feng finished speaking, Chang Jianyi and Chu Chaoyan stopped eating. Hua Jingran continued to feed Xiaohu and also signaled for Wang Xiqiang and his sister to eat quickly. As for the matters at the dinner table, she pretended not to know anything; it wasn't something someone like her could interfere with.
Chang Jianyi was silent for a moment, then asked, "Is it because of Li Keyi? Do you have any relationship with her?"
Shen Feng looked at Chang Jianyi and saw distrust in his senior's eyes. It was clear that Shen Feng was being suspected of having a new relationship with another woman.
Chu Chaoyan also said softly at this moment, "Sister Du was frozen for less than a month, Shen Feng. It shouldn't be appropriate for you to go out at this time, should it?"
Chu Chaoyan didn't directly accuse Shen Feng, but her words carried a tone of reproach. Why mention Du Xinshi at this time? She was implying that Du Xinshi's body was barely cold, and Shen Feng was already seeking new relationships and going out with other women. This was simply heartless.
Facing the speculations of his two wives, Shen Feng could only let out a helpless sigh and said, "Alas, can't you two give me even a little bit of trust? I'm not going out to date. I'm going to salvage meteorites. Right now, countless forces at sea are preparing to salvage meteorites. Li Keyi revealed confidential information to me that the mutated blue whale is about to die and invited me to salvage meteorites. If it's unsuccessful, I'll come back directly. Why can't you give me even a little bit of trust?"
Shen Feng's explanation left Chang Jianyi and Chu Chaoyan speechless. They had both guessed wrong, thinking that Shen Feng had some unclear relationship with Li Keyi and wanted to find a place to have fun away from prying eyes. Shen Feng had never done such a thing before, but after thinking about it, it was indeed possible.
Chang Jianyi couldn't help but say to Shen Feng, "Next time something like this happens, just explain the situation clearly. You just said you were going out, and we didn't know you were going to sea, which led to this misunderstanding. You'll definitely need a lot of things for this trip, so I'll prepare them for you later."
Shen Feng nodded and said, "There's no need to prepare anything extra. Just prepare a water glider, the kind with a frame that can support the glider to float on the sea, and a portable paraglider. Bring two sets. Nothing else is needed."
Chu Chaoyan quickly said, "Right, I'll prepare some snacks for you to eat on the way. I remember you always brought snacks when you went out before."
Speaking of snacks, Shen Feng couldn't help but think of Du Xinshi. In the past, when he went out, Du Xinshi would always bring him snacks, not clothes or money. This detail was also noticed by Chu Chaoyan, who now wanted to bring him snacks as well.
Shen Feng nodded and said, "Then I'll trouble you. I'll be back as soon as possible."
...
On the dark Indian Ocean, an aircraft carrier was emitting light. Many soldiers were celebrating. Although they couldn't drink alcohol, everyone was enthusiastic. The reason for the celebration was simple: the fleet had killed two giant sea beasts using weapons specifically designed for them during the day's operation. It was a victory for humanity to kill sea beasts with their own capabilities, and it was naturally worth celebrating.
A soldier, while eating barbecue, excitedly said, "It's useless even if the sea beasts have intelligence. How can the intelligence of sea beasts compare to humans? Last time at sea, we were unprepared and didn't know how to deal with giant sea beasts. This time, with specialized weapons, can't we kill them?"
Another soldier nearby chimed in, "That's right. Speaking of which, two years ago, over two hundred ability users were defeated under the siege of sea beasts. In my opinion, it's because the ability users' skill level was insufficient that they were defeated."
"Naturally. Didn't the Goddess of Light in Yanjing say that any giant sea beast is equivalent to a seventh-tier ability user? And the ability users on this ship are all below sixth-tier. How could they possibly be a match for the sea beasts?"
As the soldiers chattered, they actually began to look down on ability users, implying that ability users were all show and no substance. In the face of absolute strength, any animal would be doomed. As for ability users, they were nothing special, especially since the sea beasts that had caused them so much trouble were killed today.
On the aircraft carrier, the commander placed two evolution crystals in a safe in front of everyone and said to the ability users present, "I will deliver the evolution crystals to headquarters. Headquarters will then reward you based on your performance, allowing those who perform excellently to break through the evolution barrier and become seventh-tier ability users. So, everyone, keep up the good work."
The ability users' eyes were filled with envy when they saw the semi-transparent red crystals. If they could get their hands on such things, they would be incredibly valuable. However, since the fleet had jointly killed the giant sea beasts this time, it was impossible for the ability users to seize the evolution crystals.
During the banquet, many ability users sat in a corner, eating and drinking alone. Compared to the enthusiastic feasting of the other soldiers, the area where the ability users were was very quiet. They were all silently barbecuing, and even when they spoke, their voices were low.
Ke Yiming, while barbecuing, complained to Yun Laizhe beside him, "What are these soldiers so proud of? They're relying on the power of technology to kill sea beasts. Even if credit is to be calculated, it should ultimately go to the scientists. What does it have to do with these soldiers? Look at how happy they are, as if they killed the sea beasts with their own strength."
Yun Laizhe comforted Ke Yiming at this time, "Don't be angry. It's no big deal. No matter how proud these soldiers are, they can't enter the divine realm, can they? In the end, it's us ability users who will be salvaging meteorites. Getting angry with them is meaningless."
With his good brother's comfort, Ke Yiming's anger subsided considerably. At this moment, Ke Yiming suddenly remembered something and asked, "By the way, you're not married yet, are you? I'll have my wife introduce you to someone. I guarantee she's a lady from a good family, and you can start a family and build a career."
Speaking of the two people who were closest in relationship between the Ability Administration and the Heavenly Chosen Bureau, they were Yun Laizhe and Ke Yiming. These two were true life-and-death friends, just like Shen Feng and Yue Hengyi returning from the sea together. Ke Yiming and Yun Laizhe had also gone through hardships and tribulations at sea before returning to China. Therefore, the ability users of the Ability Administration and the Heavenly Chosen Bureau were clearly separated, but Ke Yiming and Yun Laizhe, on the contrary, talked and laughed together.
When it came to marriage, Yun Laizhe said with a troubled expression, "Forget it. My family has already arranged my engagement. My fiancée is a girl named Zhan Jinshu, but I haven't even met her. I'll probably get married after returning to China, so you don't need to introduce anyone."
Ke Yiming shrugged. He had good intentions, wanting to help Yun Laizhe end his single status at this time, but the scions of prominent families were indeed not simple. Even for a lifelong event like marriage, they had already found partners.
Gong Changfa, at this time, was looking at domestic news on his phone. Even at sea, Gong Changfa was keeping up with domestic news. After all, no matter how long he was at sea, Gong Changfa would eventually return to China.
Just then, Xiao Sheng walked over with a glass of wine. Soldiers were not allowed to drink, but ability users were an exception. Xiao Sheng was holding a glass of wine. For ordinary people, wine was just for taste, but Xiao Sheng and Gong Changfa were experienced drinkers, so they could naturally discern its quality.
"Captain Gong, do you have time to drink and chat?" Xiao Sheng asked first.
As he spoke, Xiao Sheng handed over a glass of dark red wine, its rich aroma wafting from the rim.
Gong Changfa took the wine and said, "Thank you."
Xiao Sheng smiled, then sat down and said lightly, "I heard that six months ago, Long Qian led people to cut off the smuggling trade between Yuzhou and the Qinghong Gang, but they were ambushed by Shen Feng and Wang Aoye. In the end, they were completely annihilated, and the Heavenly Dragon Bureau was disbanded. Have you heard this news, Captain Gong?"
After mentioning this, Gong Changfa really wanted to laugh. How could he not know about this? After all, he was the one who leaked this information to Wang Aoye. Otherwise, how would Shen Feng and Wang Aoye have received the news?
However, Gong Changfa also knew that the more he wanted to laugh, the more he had to restrain himself. Therefore, Gong Changfa said seriously, "I have heard about this. Does Captain Xiao Sheng have any special meaning in saying this?"
Xiao Sheng said seriously, "But I heard that it was because the Heavenly Dragon Bureau's actions and objectives were betrayed that they were ambushed. This is truly a terrifying matter. I think it's very troublesome for us to be wary of each other. Why don't we cooperate? That way, everyone can live in peace, and no one will stab each other in the back!"
For Gong Changfa, this was exactly what he wanted. Since the Heavenly Dragon Bureau's strength was not as good as it was two years ago, he immediately agreed, saying, "No problem. From now on, we will cooperate. Even if we achieve merit, the credit will be divided equally."
At this moment, Xiao Sheng nodded and said, "That would be for the best. However, the coral forest is full of dangers, and whether we can achieve merit in the end is uncertain."
Gong Changfa smiled and suddenly said, "Although you are the deputy captain of the Ability Administration, in my opinion, you should be the captain. When you return to China this time, you will probably be promoted to captain. Keep up the good work."
"Heh heh, you're joking. The appointment of a captain is not something you or I can decide," Xiao Sheng said with a smile and left.